Job 8

Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

Bildad the Shuhite responded, expressing his thoughts and feelings, saying,

How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?

When will you stop saying these things? How long will your words be as harsh as a fierce wind?

Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

Would God ever twist the truth? Or would the Almighty ever distort justice?

If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;

If your children sinned against Him and He cast them away for their rebellion;

If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

If you yearn to connect with God, start early and pour out your heart to the Almighty.

If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.

If you were truly honest and good, God would surely rise for you, blessing your righteous home with prosperity.

Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

Though you started with little, your end will overflow with abundance.

For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

Please, I urge you, seek wisdom from the past and ready yourself to learn from our ancestors.

(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)

We are merely newcomers in this world, ignorant, for our time here is as fleeting as a shadow.

Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?

Won't they guide you, speak to you, and share the deepest feelings of their heart?

Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?

Can a reed thrive without mud? Can a lily bloom without water?

Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.

Even in its prime, untouched, it fades faster than any other plant.

So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish:

Such is the fate of all who forget God: like that reed, they wither, and the false hopes of hypocrites will perish.

Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web.

Those who place their hope in deceit will find it shattered, and their trust as fragile as a spider's web.

He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.

He will rely on his home, but it won't remain standing. Even if he tries to keep it together, it won't last.

He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.

He thrives under the sunlight, his branches flourishing in his own garden.

His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.

His roots are entwined around the mound, observing the realm of rocks.

If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.

If he is removed from his home, it will disown him, claiming it never knew him.

Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.

So much for the joy of his path: from the soil, others will spring up in his place.

Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:

Rest assured, God will never abandon a good person, nor will He assist those who do wrong.

Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.

Until he fills your heart with laughter and your lips with joy.

They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.

Those who despise you will be draped in disgrace; the homes of the wicked will crumble into nothingness.